Kaizer Chiefs chairman Kaizer Motaung, Orlando Pirates Chairman Irvin Khoza and SAB Marketing Director Ian Penhale during the Carling Black Label Cup launch in Sandton.

The Carling Black Label Cup

By Sharon Mathabatha

The Carling Black Label Cup 2013 was launched recently at Protea Hotel in Wonderers. The campaign returns for the third time since its inception in 2011. The Buccanners have won the first two matches of this campaign, where last year the stadium was filled to capacity breaking the all-time attendance record for a soccer event.

The campaign has grown tremendously since 2011 with more than 20 million votes casted last year; this is double the number from the first year. This year they are anticipating 30 million votes. The campaign awards fans of Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates an opportunity to showcase their coaching skills against one another in the heat of a battle. This concept has ignited the imagination of fans from all over the country and has taken it its place as one of the highlights of the South African football calendar.

“The Carling Black Label Cup has been a tremendous success not just for the two clubs involved and the fans who have taken the concept to heart, but also for South Africa as a whole. It has shown us to be a country of innovation and outstanding achievement.” Kaizer Chiefs Chairman, Kaizer Motaung said.

This spectacle event is scheduled for 27^th of July 2013 at FNB Stadium, where the stadium is expected to over flow with fans of the two clubs. Chairman of Orlando Pirates Dr Irvan Khoza explained that the success of the campaign is reason for fans to celebrate. “I believe anytime Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs meet, there will be massive interest from the public. However, of greaterinterest is the fact that supporters have a once in a lifetime opportunity to pick the teams, which is incredible for them”. He said

There will be a Carling Black Label Cup roadshow that will travel across the country. The campaigns ambassadors are SABC 1’s zone 14 duo, Popeye and Spinach. These Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs self-proclaimed supporters will educate fan on voting procedures, the two Soweto giants history and give away prizes.